In these dark times, embracing laughter is an ethical choice

Laughter has optimism embedded in it. It allows us to see that, while we are all human and we fail, we can change

‘The devil’s aspirin’: why do so many celebrities blame Ambien?

Elon Musk, Roseanne Barr, Tiger Woods and others have all claimed the sedative was at fault for their strange behavior

Adele shares story of friend’s postpartum psychosis to help new mothers

‘Talk about how you’re feeling,’ singer urges, as experts say taboos can leave people isolated

Best ‘brainy’ books of this decade

Writers and experts select their favourite book on physics, feminism, medicine, health, economics, psychology and more

Know thyself… by writing your first novel

Dig deep inside, battle self-doubt and become the person you know you can be. Richard Skinner on the healing powers of writing a novel

Hot Cheetos are getting their own biopic, but might land you in hospital

The super-spicy snack, set to get its own origin-story film, has been blamed for a teenager’s emergency gallbladder surgery

Asperger’s Children by Edith Sheffer review – the origins of autism in Nazi Vienna

In popular legend, Asperger was an Oskar Schindler figure who shielded his charges from euthanasia. The truth is more uncomfortable

Ban fat-shaming show Insatiable, its critics cry. But none of them have seen it

Like Beverley Hughes railing against Brass Eye, those who pelt round the hamster wheels of social media outrage have – yet again – confused the subject of a joke with its target

Insatiable’s fat-shaming is dangerous. Don’t do it, Netflix

A thin actor in a fat suit doesn’t help teenagers struggling with body image, says writer and comedian Sofie Hagen

Insatiable: 100,000 sign petition to cancel Netflix ‘fat-shaming’ series

Comedy starring Debby Ryan as overweight teen who takes revenge on tormentors criticised for promoting ‘toxic’ ideas